Ben Franklin, one of the United States’ founding fathers, wore a lot of hats. He was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat.
He was also well known for the pithy quotes he released in Poor Richard’s Almanack. Amazingly, what he wrote almost three centuries ago is just as enlightening today as it was when they were first written.
Here are five of my favorite Benjamin Franklin quotes, and how to apply them to your field service business.
Well done is better than well said.
For the past four years, we’ve conducted a Green Industry Benchmark Survey. Every year, we find that the single best tactic that green industry businesses use to grow their business is delivering great service and relying on word of mouth. When we ask green industry contractors what marketing advice they have for others, they invariably say something similar to Franklin - focus on delivering great service first.
It’s as true today as it was 200 years ago. All the advanced marketing tactics in the world won’t make up for terrible customer service. If you want to grow your business, focus on your business processes first, then, once you’ve nailed them, start marketing.
Keep thy shop, and thy shop will keep thee.
When I was a teenager, I took terrible care of my first car. Probably because it was a broken down old clunker. But by not changing the oil, rotating the tires or ever washing it, it didn’t last long. I learned Franklin’s lesson the hard way.
If you own a lawn maintenance business, you know the importance of maintaining your equipment. New equipment isn’t cheap, so the longer you can run your existing equipment, the more profitable your business will be.
But this adage also applies to your vehicle fleet. If you own an irrigation business, you know the importance of keeping your trucks organized and well-stocked. If you don’t, you may have to make constant runs out into the field to deliver supplies.
A good example is the best sermon.
Inspiring the employees in your field service business is your job as the owner. If you can’t get them to be productive, key members of your team, you’re bound to fail. A business is only as good as its employees.
And one thing that frustrates employees more than anything else is an owner who delegates a task and then heads out to play golf. Or a boss that yells all the time for seemingly insignificant errors.
As Franklin said, setting a good example is the best way to earn the trust of your employees. Do what you say you’re going to do, be transparent, motivate through positive reinforcement whenever possible, and you’ll soon find your team is willing to run through walls on your behalf.
A penny saved is a penny earned.
I know inflation has made the value of the penny a lot less in the years since Franklin penned this advice, but it’s still a maxim worth heeding.
I’m obviously biased, but to me the best way to save more is by installing field service software. According to another of Franklin’s words of wisdom, time is money. We’ve seen people who used to spend their nights and weekends managing the paperwork in their business install software and get back as much as 20 hours per week. It’s freed them to work on their business, instead of in it, and saved them many pennies over the long haul.
What you seem to be, be really.
Nobody likes someone who isn’t what they seem. I’ve got a friend who’s on the dating circuit and uses apps like Tinder to find dates. He’s regaled me with stories of dates who use pictures that are 10 years (and 60 pounds) out of date.
Be what you appear to be. You can apply this to your marketing - don’t make promises that you can’t keep. You can apply it to your core values - if one of your core values is punctuality, you better show up on time. You can also apply this to your management style - be as transparent as possible with your staff.
Benjamin Franklin delivered a lot of wisdom, wisdom that has never gone out of style. Take his adages to heart and you’ll find success in business and life.
Need some modern-day advice? Then download our free eBook, Owning a Field Service Business: 16 Tips for Success, today!
